WEATHER

STOCKS

TWITTER FEED

Art Attack - A tree hugger and proud of it
John RankineThursday, June 20, 2013

It was 1973. I was a curious teenager and, with my best friend, imparted on a journey that was life altering. We started by sharing a peyote button, washed down with psilocybin mushroom tea.

We spent the entire day tripping in Toronto’s largest public park, safely engulfed in nature – becoming one with the trees. That day I literally became a tree hugger and would never look at nature quite the same again.

Flash forward 40 years to the present, where I still choose to call Eureka Springs home after 17 years. Like all who are drawn here, I was captivated by the beauty of the Ozarks and we built our straw bale home overlooking a mountainous, vast canopy of green – an enormous ancient oak, our center piece.

And now that beauty is being threatened, not just for my partner and me, but for everyone who appreciates and understands the beauty and special qualities of the region.

SWEPCO, the giant electric conglomerate, is determined to clear-cut and erect their 160 ft. high, 345 kV power transmission lines that will stretch over 48 miles of our untouched Ozark terrain. There are six proposed alternative routes and virtually all would have devastating and permanent impact to NWA.

We can’t let this happen.

You don’t have to be a tree hugger to be concerned and take action. This is a rare cause where left and right, progressive and conservative can, and should, come together – and unless a major SWEPCO stockholder – should be alarmed. We are stewards of this incredible part of the country – these mountains are its soul, and the long-term environmental and economic impacts will be deeply felt.

The only thing that will make this absurd thing happen is apathy. It’s what SWEPCO is counting on, but thanks to a growing group of people making noise, we have a chance. Get involved and go to savetheozarks.com. There you can find out important information, lists of government agencies and state reps you can contact, plus all the latest news and updates.

Say No to SWEPCO signs are popping up all over town and anyone needing a sign can swing by my store, Sweet Spring Antiques and pick one up for a 5 buck donation.

A preliminary public hearing will be held July 15 at Inn of the Ozarks convention Center. Here is your chance to speak up and voice your concerns about this unnecessary project that will only benefit SWEPCO. Numbers matter.

Wouldn’t it be great on that day for SWEPCO representatives to be greeted by a sea of orange signs?